Sky Content Changes

Sky is making a further change to its channel line up, with Sky One set to be closed, and two new channels launched in its place.

Sky Showcase will take Sky One’s current EPG slot and numbers, and will become a channel showcasing content from Sky’s entire channel portfolio, including its sports and film channels. It remains to be seen if there will ben overlap with the Sky Replay channel, which recently rebranded from Sky Two. It will be linear only, without an on-demand platform attached, something which is a rarity in current trends.

A new channel, Sky Max, will become home to the latest premium content from Sky, with drama’s such as A Discovery of Witches and COBRA, and comedy panel shows including A League of Their Own and the returning Never Mind The Buzzcocks, to feature on the channel. Sky Max will be available in both linear and on-demand forms.

Comedy shows Code 404 and Hitmen Reloaded, both previously on Sky One, will find a new home on the Sky Comedy channel, which is being updated with a revised programme line-up.

All three channels will be or are available to Sky, Virgin Media (cable), and BT TV customers. The changes see the end of a long history for Sky One, which launched in April 1982. At over 39 years old, it’s the oldest non-terrestrial TV channel in the UK.

All of the above changes will take effect from the 1st September (2021), alongside a wider reshuffle of channel number/EPG allocations. Additionally, NBCUniversal’s new Peacock streaming service will soon be rolled out to Sky customers across Europe later this year (2021), at no extra cost.

Sky to Launch New Channels

Sky has announced two new channels, both to be available on the Sky satellite platform and via the Now TV Entertainment Pass.

First to launch is Sky Crime, in October 2019. This channel will show US crime shows from Oxygen and HBO, and first run content from Jupiter and Woodcut. Sky Comedy will follow in February 2020, and will show content from HBO, NBC and Showtime.

Sky subscribers will receive these channels at no extra cost. As yet channel numbers are yet to be confirmed, and it has not yet been announced if these channels will be available on any other platforms. There is also some speculation that the new channels might be replacements for Real Lives and Sky 2.

Alongside a variety of Sky branded channels, Sky’s channel line up also includes the E!, SYFY, Pick and Challenge brands. Challenge and Pick can both be found on free to air platforms Freeview and Freesat.